Method and apparatus for forming lugs on clay columns and the like



c. H. REKER 4,981 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING LUGS ON CLAY COLUMNS AND THE LIKE June 20, 1933.

Filed March 24, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet l gwvantoc A 6. Elle/fer June 20, 1933. c. H. REKER 1,914,881

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING LUGS ON CLAY COLUMNS AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Zlwuzntor June 20; 1933. c. H. REKER 1,914,981

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING LUGS ON CLAY COLUMNS AND THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 C. H fie/fer WM C. H. REKER June 20, 1933.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING LUGS ON CLAY COLUMNS AND THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 (TH/Zeke)" mw mm \w w Q Nw/ NW m Q .Qw Wm wwww Qw mm K aw mm mw am June 20, 1933. c. H. REKER 1,914,981 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING LUGS ON CLAY COLUMNS AND THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwumdo .N 2 M A t xm mw W w w Ma Q N NV, NN m u MN \lww Jun \N WEAR l A A A a 1 A $3 r N w X Am A A N\\ \N m$ A [I June 20, 1933. c REKER 1,914,981

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING LUGS ON CLAY COLUMNS AND THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fly 9 gwvantoz attwwqa iatentecl June 20, 1933 UNETE STATE CHARLES HENRY REKEPU, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR '30 THE 'METBOPOLITA'N PAVING- BRICK COIVIIPANY, OE CANTON, OHIO, A CORPGEA'IEION OF OHIO METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOBIKIIIG LUGS (3N CLAY COLU'MNS AND THE LIKE Application filed. March 24-, 1932. Serial No. 600,357.

My invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming lugs on columns of plastic material such as clay, shale, or the like, so that the lugs are exactly positioned with respect to blocks or bricks cut from the column. d In the manufacture by the wire cut process of blocks or bricks having lugs formed thereon, great difficulty has heretofore been encountered in forming the lugs on the column of plastic material so that the lugs will be properly positioned with respect to the cut surfaces of the blocks or bricks cut from the column. Such lugs are provided on the side face of a paving brick, so that when the brick is laid with other similar bricks on a suitably prepared foundation, the several bricks will be properly spaced from each other sidewise, for V 7 receiving tar, grout, or other filler in the 29 spaces thus formed therebetween.

For attaining the desired appearance of the paving, for facilitating the application of the filler through usual spout means, and in order that the filler may properly flow in all directions into the openings between the spaced bricks and properly bind the same, it is practically essential that the lugs on each brick shall be uniformly spaced from each other and shall be uniformly spaced with respect to 3%) the planes of the cut faces of the brick, which cut faces are the upper and lower faces when in use in a pavement.

Green bricks are wire cut from a column of 4 plastic material by means of wire cutting apparatus including cutting wires operatively mounted on a carriage whlch successively travels during a cutting operation from a starting position with a measured length of the moving clay column until a set bricks has been cut therefrom, after which the carriage returns to the starting position by movement in a direction opposite to that of the direction of movement of the column, for again traveling with another length of the column and cutting another set of green bricks therefrom.

A convenient method of forming lugs on the top face of a moving claycolumn includes 4 forming the die on the brick machine so that the plastic column extruded therefrom has preferably two ribs formed on its upper sur face and extending longitudinally in the direction of movement of the column.

The lugs are then finish formed by in dentmg the ribs by means of a corrugated roller whose corrugations extend crosswise of the ribs.

Prior to the present improvements it has been very difficult, if not practically impossible, to thus form lugs on the upper face of the column, so that the green bricks cut from the column are so cut that the lugs on all the bricks are equally spaced from the planes of the cut faces, it being again noted that the cut faces become the upper and lower faces of the finished bricks.

A principal reason for this dificulty in properly positioning the lugs with respect to the planes of the cut faces, arises from the fact that in the operation of the usual wire cutting apparatus, there is usually a slight difference in the relative location of the end of each successive length of column with respect to the cutting wires.

Consequently it is impossible to utilize a corrugated indenting roll, with the roll either freely rotatable, or in any usual gear or similar relationship with the cutting wires, so as to attain the desired accurate and uniform spacing of the lugs with respect to the cut surfaces in each brick.

The objects of the present invention include the provision of an improved method for accurately forming lugs as aforesaid on a column of plastic material or the like, in conjunction with the step of wire cutting blocks or bricks therefrom.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of an improved apparatus for carrying out the improved method, the apparatus being relatively simpleto construct and including usual Wire cutting apparatus, and the apparatus being certain and effective in its operation for thus accurately forming lugs on the clay column, as aforesaid.

Further obj cots of the present invention include the provision of parts of the improved apparatus in the form of an attachment which may be combined quickly and easily with usual forms of wire cutting apparatus for carrying out the improved method hereof.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the methods, improvements, apparatus, parts, combinations, and subcombinations, which comprise the present invention, and the nature of which are set forth in the following general statement, and preferred embodiments of which, together with their mode of use, are set forth in the following description, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved method of the present invention may be stated in general terms as constituting the method of forming lugs on a moving plastic column which includes continuously forming one or more ribs extending in the direction of movement of the column, and roller indenting the ribs to form the lugs so that the indentations and lugs on successive separated lengths of the column shall be similarly positioned with respect to the ends of equal portions of said successive lengths, and the equal portions of each successive length of the column being preferably severed or cut transversely of the column into a plurality of equal blocks each having opposite cut faces, the planes of which are each equally spaced from the lugs thus formed on each block.

The nature of the apparatus of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including means such as a brick machine or the like for producing and moving a column of plastic material, the column having an upper surface provided with one or more longitudinal ribs extending in the direction of movement of the column, means such as a usual wire cutting apparatus for successively measuring and severing or separating lengths of the column therefrom, and improved means operatively associated with the severing means for indenting successive portions of the ribs to form lugs, and self-adjusting resetting means synchronizing each operation of the severing-means and the indenting means so that the indentations and lugs on successive separated lengths of the column shall be similarly positioned with respect to the ends of equal portions of said successive lengths, the equal portions of said successive lengths each being preferably severed or cut transversely of the column into a plurality of equal green bricks or blocks each having opposite cut faces, the planes of which are each equally spaced from the lugs formed on each block.

Preferred embodiments of the improved apparatus and parts thereof, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a block having lugs formed thereon by the use of the improved method and apparatus;

Fig. 2, a diagrammatic view of one form of apparatus including the present improvements;

Fig. 3, a fragmentary side elevation thereof with portions in section;

Fig. 4, an enlarged fragmentary top plan view thereof, with portions in section;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary transverse view hereof, with portions in section;

Fig. 6, an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view thereof, with portions in section, parts of the apparatus being illustrated in their respective positions at the commencement of the operation of the re-setting and synchronizing means, and with the oncoming end of the column properly positioned with respect to the cutting or severing means and with the indenting means, whereby no relative movement of the indenting means by the re-setting and synchronizing means is required;

Fig. 7, a view similar to Fig. 6 in which the end of the advancing column is improperly positioned with respect to the cutting or severing means and the indenting means, whereby operation of the re-setting and synchronizing means is required to reset and syncln'onize the indenting means for proper operation with respect to the cutting means;

Fig. 8, a view similar to Fig. 7 in which the parts are shown in their respective positions after operation of the resetting and synchronizing means;

Fig. 9, an end elevation view illustrating portions of another form of apparatus including the present improvements; and

Fig. 10, a fragmentary side elevation view thereof.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

One form of apparatus including the present improvements is illustrated in Figs. 2 to S inclusive, and is indicated generally by 10.

The apparatus 10 includes a usual brick in achine indicated generally by ll, and a usual wire cutting machine or means indicated generally by 12, and which is of the type including a rotary wire cutting frame 13, and is adapted for cutting a plurality of green bricks or blocks 14: from successive measured lengths L of a plastic column 15 which is advanced over a measuring conveyor 11a and through the wire cutting machine 12 from the die of the brick machine 11.

For the purposes of the present invention, the column 15 has formed on its top face 15 a pair of ribs 16 which are parallel with each other, and which extend longitudinally in the direction of and parallel with the movement of the column 15.

The wire cutting machine 12 includes in combination with other usual parts, not shown, longitudinally spaced and longitudina ll-y extending tracks 17a and 17b. lVheels 18a roll on the tracks 17a, and wheels 18?) roll on the tracks 17?).

Acamiage 1:9 is supported on its opposite ends upon the upper surfaces of the Wheels 18a and 18b for rolling thereon backwards and forwards in the direction of longitudinal movement of the #clay column 15.

The measuring conveyor 11a successively advances lengths L of the column 15 through the wire cutting machine 12, but in the operation of such :a usual wire cutting machine 12, there is usually a slighteliiference in the relative locations of the oncoming ends 155 of each successive length L of the column 15 with respect to the cutting wires 20 of any particular set ready for cutting, at the time 7 that the wire cutting'machine 12 is tripped so that the carriage 19 travels with the column for permitting rotation of the cutting frame 513 and the severingof a set of blocks 14: therefrom by the particular set of wires '20.

Each set of blocks 14 severed from successive lengths L of the oncoming column 15 is inoludedbetween theends 15b and 15?)" of a longitudinally extending portion L oi each successive length L of the column.

The location :of the ends 155 and 15b of each portion L is determined by the equal longitudinal spacing of the forward and rearward wires 20 of each set, and according ly the successive severed lengths L are always necessarily equal in length.

The advancing end 155 of each length L of the column is located at a distance D ahead of the forward end 15?) of each equal portion L, and the rearward end 15?) of each equal portion L is always abutted by the advancing end 151) of the oncoming column length L.

In the operation of the wire cutting means 12, the distances Dare not always equal be tween the advancing ends 15?) of successive lengths L and the respective forward ends 155 of the equal portions L thereof.

The variation in the distances D arises from the fact that after a particular set of cutting wires 20 have cut a set of blocks 14; from the column 15 while the carriage 19 travels with the column, the movement of the carriage 19 in the direction of movement of the column 15 is stopped, and the carriage 19 is returned in the opposite-direction to the starting position, as best illustrated. in Figs. 1 and 3.

he out set of blocks 14 are at the same time being cleared from the cutting machine 12, and a new length L of the column is being advanced therethrough.

The measuring belt 110 is moved by passage of the column 15 thereover, and the movement of the measuring belt 1164 causes and times the successive trippings or actuations of the cutting machine 12, so that each time the carriage 19 returns to the starting position, the cutting machine 12 is actuated so that the carriage 19 again moves with the .column 15, and the cutting frame 13'is again rotated for cutting another set of blocks 14 from the particular length L of the column with which the carriage is then moving.

The operation of all cutting machines, whether the cutting frames be rotary or oscillating, is similar; and the cutting machine '12.,1as illustrated, includes as aforesaid a rotary cutting frame 13, and is a standard No. 15 Bonnet rotary automatic cutter.

In the apparatus 10, an attachment including parts of the present improvement, and indicated generally by 21, is operatively mounted on the carriage 19 of the standard automatic cutting machine 12.

The carriage 19 includes a supporting and mounting frame 19a, and the supporting and mounting frame 19a includes longitudinally spaced preferably circular end members 22a and 22?) which are connected adjacent their peripheries with opposite ends of a plurality :of longitudinally extending bars 2%.

A longitudinally extending shaft 23 which is centrally located with respect to the circular end members 22a and 22b is supported at its opposite ends in the circular end members 22a and 22b.

7 he cutting frame 13 is operatively mounted between the end members 22a and 22b and the bars 2%, and includes longitudinally spaced preferably flanged gear rings 25a and 255 which are connected adjacent their peni pheries with opposite ends of a plurality of longitudinally extending outer wire supporting bars 26.

The gear ring 25a is rotatably mounted on the end member 2266, as by means of a plurality of rollers 22a1 each of which is rota tably mounted on the end member 22a, and the outer cylindric rolling periphery 25a of the gear ring 25a is supported and rotates between the peripheries of the rollers 25a.

Similarly, the gear ring 25?) is rotatably mounted on the end member 22?), as by means of a plurality of rollers 22Z)1 each of which rotatably mounted on the end member 22?), and the outer cylindric rolling periphery 255 of the gear ring 255 is supported and rotates between the peripheries of the rollers 26?).

Each cutting wire 20 is connected at its inner end with a collar 27 which is ournalled on the shaft 23, and is connected at its outer end with a collar 28 which is secured upon one of the bars 26, a suitable tension being applied on each wire 20 by usual means.

A longitudinal'ly extending column slide shelf 29a. is carried by the end member 22a, and a longitudinally extending column slide shelf 29?) is 'carricdby the end member 22?).

Opposite ends of the column slide shelves 29aand 29?) are located respectively adjacent the transverse plane of the adjacent outermost cutting wires20, and between each pair of adjacent transverse planes of the cutting wires 20, a column slide shelf bracket 30 is supported from the shaft 23. i

The upper longitudinal and laterally extending surfaces of the slide shelves 29a and 29b, and the brackets 30 are alined with each other in the longitudinal and laterally extending plane 31, and the column is supported by and slides over the alined upper surfaces of the shelves and brackets.

The attachment 21 is supported from the end member 22a and is located between the end member 22a and the adjacent outermost cutting wires 20.

The column 15 is advanced longitudinally at one side of and below the longitudinal axis of the shaft 23, and between the shaft 23 and the inner peripheries of the gear rings 25a and 25b, and through suitable openings in the end members 22a and 22b.

The attachment 21 as illustrated includes laterally spaced side members 321 and 32-2 between which the column 15 is advanced.

At the upper ends of the side members 321 and 32-2, an indenting roller 33 1s journalled for rotation about a normally horizontal axis which extends preferably at right angles with the direction of long1tudinal movement of the column 15, the column 15 traveling between the upper surface of the shelf 29a and the opposite lower peripheral portions of the indenting roller 33.

The indenting roller 33 is preferably provided with a bore 34 in which is located a shaft 35. One end 35a of the shaft 35 extends beyond the adjacent end 33a, of the roller 33 and is journalled in a bearing bracket 371 which is preferably vertically adjustably carried from the upper end of the side member 321.

The other end 35?) of the shaft 35 extends beyond the other end of the roller 33 and through a Vertically extending slot 38 in the side member 322, and the shaft end 355 is journalled in a bearing bracket 37-2 whlch is preferably vertically adjustably supported from the upper end of the side member 322.

An adjusting flange 39 is keyed upon the shaft end 35?) between the bearing block 37 2 and the roller end 335, and the adjusting flange 39 has preferably formed therein one or morecireumferentially extendingslots 40,

and an adjusting and clamping screw 41 extends through each slot and is screwed into the roller end 33?), a washer 42 preferably being interposed between each adjusting screw head 42a and the adjusting flange 39.

Accordingly, by thus mounting the roller 33 on the shaft 35, rotary adjustments of the roller 33 on the shaft 35 may be effected by loosening the screws 41, turning the roller 33 to the desired position, and then tightening the screws 41.

The indenting roller 33 has preferably secured or formed thereon a plurality of indenting bars 43, each bar preferably extending parallel with the shaft 35 and with the other bars, and the bars being equally spaced from each other circumferentially about the shaft 35, and equally spaced radially from the axis of the shaft 35.

As illustrated the roller 33 is provided with sixteen bars 43, whereby each rotation of the roller serves to indent eight blocks.

The improved synchronizing and resetting means of the present invention is indicated generally by 44 and is operatively associated with the roller 33, and is actuated by rotation of the wire cutting frame 13, as is hereinafter set forth in detail.

The synchronizing and resetting means 44 includes a ratchet wheel 45 which is secured upon the shaft end 35?) upon the outer side of the side member 322.

The ratchet wheel 45 is provided with a ratchet tooth 46 for each bar 43 on the roller 33, or in other words sixteen teeth 46.

A resetting lever indicated generally by 47 is journalled on the shaft end 350, at the outer side of the ratchet wheel 45. The resetting lever 47 includes one arm 48 which as illustrated extends downwardly from the shaft end 355 and through the central opening of the gear ring 25a.

From the opposite side of the shaft end 355 the resetting lever 47 includes another arm 49 extending upwardly from the shaft end 35?) and towards the cutting wires 20.

A pawl 50 is pivotally mounted on the arm 49 for engagement of its outer end 50a by operation of the apparatus behind successive teeth 46 of the ratchet wheel 45.

The arm 49 is preferably connected with the upper end of a tension spring 51 the lower end of which is connected with a bracket 52 secured upon the side member 322.

A pawl stop and lift tongue 53 is preferably secured upon the side member 322 for cooperation with a stop and lift pin 54 which is secured to and extends from one side of the pawl 50. 1

A tension spring 55 is connected at its upper end with the pawl and at its lower end with the arm 49.

Excepting during actuation of the resetting lever, the tension spring 51 maintains the resetting lever 47 and the pawl 50 in the positions best illustrated in F 6 and 7, with the stop and lift pin 54, extending from the pawl 50 as aforesaid, having ridden up over the preferably downwardly extending end 53a of the tongue 53.

The location of the catch end 5311 of the tongue 53 is such that when the lever 47 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 56, the engaging end 50a of the pawl will drop behind one of the ratchet teeth 46, at precisely the proper time.

Normal rotation of the resetting lever 47 is effected during operation of the apparatus by means of an actuating arm 57 which is secured upon the ring gear 25a and extends radially inwardly therefrom for striking against the upper surface of the lever arm 48 just before a set of the wires 20- is about to sever a set of blocks 14: comprising an equal length L from a. length L of the column 15.

Brake means for applying a predetermined resistance against rotation of the roller 33 are preferably provided, and may be in the form of a resilient friction arm 58', the lower end of which is secured tothe attachment side member 322, and the upper end of which frictional'ly presses against the end- 33'?) of the roller 381 An adjusting screw 59 may be preferably screwed through the side member 822 for applying an adjustable pressure to the adjnstable brake arm 58.

In operation, the roller 33, the ratchet wheel 45, and the resetting lever 47 and parts associated therewith, are adjusted with respect to each other as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

The lugs 1 6l are formed on the'blocks 14 by indenting the ribs 16 successively by the bars 43- of the roller 33 rolling into the ribs 1'6, when the column 15 moves under and in engagement with the roller 33.

Thelugs-161 are uniformly spaced from each otherby the uniform spacing of the bars The lugs 1 6-1 are uniformly spaced from the forward end 15?) of the-equal length L cut from each length L of the column 15, and

from the similar cut f'ace'15hf of each block 14: cut from the-length L and from the similar rearward faces 15?) of the blocks, by operation of the resetting means 4:4.

If there has been no slippage in the advancing of the carriage 19with the oncoming length L of the column: 15, one ofthe bars 43 will be exactly centered with the advancing end- 15?) of the length Land the rotation of the resetting lever 47 caused by impingement of the arm 48 by the arm 57 just before a set of the wires 20 cuts intothe length L, causes no rotation of theroller 33 against the movement of the advancing column, by reason of the original adjustment of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 45 with respect tot-he indenting bars 43.

This is the condition illustrated in Fig. 6, whereby after a set of the blocks'M comprising an equal length L has been severed from the length L, which as-aforesaid is properly positioned with respect to'the indenting bars 43 0f the roller 33', the roller 33'is-rotated by movement of: the severed blocks 14: thereunder,.so as-t'o properly indenttheribs 16 as' illustratediin broken lines.

If however, due toslippage of the advancin-g length L of the column, with respect to the carriage, the advancing end 156- of the length- L is improperly positioned with respect tothe indenting bars 43 of the roller 33 as illustrated in Fig. 7, sothat without resetting of the roller 33 the rib 16' would be improperly indented to form the lugs indicated in broken lines in Fig. 7, rotation of the resetting lever M, as aforesaid, serves to reset the roller 33 by rotating the same against the movement of the advancing column'to'the proper position illustrated in Fig. 8, after which the lugs 161 may be properly formed onthe' rib 16, as aforesaid.

After each movement of the arm 47, as aforesaid, it returns toits normal position as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 In Figs. 9 and I 0, an apparatus indicatedgenerally by 110 includes a wire cuttingmachine 112 of the oscillating frame type comb1nded with an attachment indicated generall-y by 121 which is similar to the attachment 21.

p The attachment 121- is however actuated by an oscillating lever arm 1'57 which is itself actuated by cam and rollermeans indicated generally by 160 interposed between the arm 1-57 and one of the frames 125m of the wire cutting machine 112'.

I claim:

1-. Themethod of forming lugs on a movmg plastic column having a rib-extending in the direction of movement of the column which includes successively and similarly p0 sitlonmg similar ends of successive equallengths of the column, and successively and similarly indenting the rib of each equal length.

2. Themethodofmaking equal bl'ocks each having similar lugs formed thereon, which includes moving a plastic column havin a rib extending in the direction of movem ent of the column, successively and similarly positioning similar ends of successive equal lengths of the column, successively and similarly indenting the rib of each equal len' t'h and successlvely severing each equal l'en 'th into-a plurality of equal blocks. a

3. The method of operating an indentin bar for forming lugs on amoving plastic col umn having a rib extendingin the direction of movement of the column, which includes successively and similarly positionin 'similar ends of successive equal lengths of the' column, an d'successively resetting the'indenting bar for similarly indenting the rib of each equal length.

4.. The method of operating a roller provided with a plurality of equally spaced'indentmgbars for forming lugs on a movin plastic column having a rib extendin 'in the directionof movement ofthe column which ncludes successively and similarly pbsitioning'simil'ar ends-of successive equal lengths cessively movable with the column, means for of the column, and successively resetting the roller so that its indenting bars are successively and similarly positioned with respect to the ends of each equal length for similarly indenting the rib of each equal length.

5. Apparatus. for forming lugs on a plastic column having a rib, including means for moving the column, means for successively and similarly positioning similar ends of successive equal lengths of the column, and means for successively and similarly indenting the rib of each equal length.

6. Apparatus for making equal blocks each having similar lugs formed thereon from a plastic column having a rib, including means for moving the column, means for successively and similarly positioning similar ends of successive equal lengths of the column, means for successively and similarly indenting the rib of each equal length, and means successively severing each equal length into a plurality of equal blocks.

7. Apparatus for forming lugs on a plastic column having a rib, including means for moving the column, means for successively and similarly positioning similar ends of successive equal lengths of the column, an indenting bar operatively mounted for indentation of the rib, and means for successively resetting the indenting bar similarly with respect to a similar end of each equal length.

8. Apparatus for forming lugs on a plastic column having a rib, including means for moving the column, a carriage member suci successively and similarly positioning similar ends of successive equal lengths of the column with respect to the carriage member successively movable with the column an indenting bar operatively mounted for indentation of the rib, and means for successively resetting and indenting bar similarly with respect to a similar end of each equal length.

9. Apparatus for making blocks having lugs formed thereon from a plastic column having a rib, including means for moving the column, a carriage operatively arranged for successively moving with successive advancing ends of the column, cutting means on the carriage for severing a predetermined length from the column each time the carriage travels therewith, an indenting roller operatively mounted on the carriage for indenting the rib by movement of the column thereunder when the carriage is not moving with the column, the indenting roller being rotatable about an axis extending cross-wise of the direction of movement of the column, and the indenting roller including equally spaced indenting bars extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the roller,

and resetting means operable by the cutting means for resetting the roller so that one of the indenting bars is at a predetermined position with respect to the cutting means each time the cutting means reaches a predetermined position.

10. In apparatus for making lugged blocks and the like, a longitudinally extending carriage, cutting means operatively mounted for cutting movement transversely of the carriage, an indenting roller operatively mounted for rotation about an axis extending crosswise of the carriage, and resetting means operable by the cutting means for resetting the indenting means to a predetermined position with respect to the cutting means each time the cutting means reaches a predetermined position.

11. In apparatus for making lugged blocks and the like, first rotary means operatively mounted for rotation about an axis, second rotary means operatively mounted for rotation about an axis extending crosswise of the first axis, and resetting means operable by rotation of the first rotary means for resetting the second rotary means to a predetermined position with respect to the first rotary means each time the first rotary means reaches a predetermined position.

12. An attachment for machines for wire cutting clay columns and the like, the attachment including mounting means adapted for being secured to the Wire cutting machine, a roller, means journalling the roller in the mounting means so that a clay column passing through the wire cutting machine may engage the roller at one side of its axis of rotation, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotation with the roller, a lever rotatable with respect to the roller and ratchet wheel, and a pawl pivotally mounted on the lever and adapted for successive engagement with the ratchet wheel.

13. Apparatus for forming lugs on a plastic column having a rib, including means for moving the column, means for successively and similarly positioning similar ends of successive equal lengths of the column, a roller, a plurality of equally spaced indenting bars on the roller, the indenting bars extending cross-wise of the rib, and means for successively resetting the rollers so that its indenting bars are successively and similarly positioned with respect to the ends of each equal length for similarly indenting the rib of each equal length, and means operatively mounting the roller for pressing the indenting bars against the rib.

14. In apparatus for making lugged blocks and the like, wire cutting means operatively mounted for rotation about an axis, a roller operatively mounted for rotation about an axis extending crosswise of the axis of the wire cutting means, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotation with the roller, a lever rotatable with respect to the roller and ratchet wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted on the lever and adapted for succes- CHARLES HENRY REKER. 

